Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) reportablesegments	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Segment Reporting (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | reportablesegments	3
Net sales
Net sales	$ 2,379	$ 2,160
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	703	557
Amortization expense	(141)	(143)
Operating income (loss)	407	364
Other expense, net	(84)	(59)
Income (loss) before income taxes	323	305
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	736	668
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	$ 153	$ 109
Segment operating income as percentage of net sales	20.80%	16.30%
Cardiovascular [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	$ 933	$ 851
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	$ 290	$ 233
Segment operating income as percentage of net sales	31.10%	27.30%
MedSurg [Member]
Net sales
Net sales	$ 711	$ 641
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	$ 259	$ 215
Segment operating income as percentage of net sales	36.40%	33.50%
Corporate expenses and currency exchange [Member]
Net sales
Operating (Loss) Income Unallocated to Segment	$ (100)	$ (61)
Special Charges [Member]
Net sales
Operating (Loss) Income Unallocated to Segment	$ (54)	$ 11